Graduate Assistant, Office of Community Engagement and Leadership Development

The Office of Community Engagement and Leadership Development (CELD) is seeking a Graduate Assistant to join our team. The CELD office provides community engagement and volunteering opportunities, basic needs support, voter engagement, and student leadership development programming for undergraduate and graduate students across the university. Supervised by the Assistant Director of Leadership Development, this position will get direct experience in leadership retreat support, program development and implementation (including content generation, budgeting, and contract negotiations), training and facilitation, and student organization advising and student staff supervision.

Core responsibilities include:

Programming and Event Support

• Coordinate campus-wide outdoor and cultural adventure program, including program oversight, staff supervision, and budget maintenance.

• Support first-year leadership and community engagement programs.

• Support fall democratic and voter engagement programming and opportunities.

• Design and run a spring community engagement celebration.

• Develop, forecast, and maintain program budgets.

Training, Supervision, and Advising

• Train and supervise student leaders who design and lead outdoor adventures.

• Train and support 10 student leaders who help design and run a first-year leadership program.

• Develop trainings and web content around: student organization leadership, advocacy, organizing, and philanthropy.

• Advise student organizations focused on community engagement opportunities.

Collaboration and Professional Development

• Opportunities to participate in departmental and university-wide working groups.

• Professional development opportunities and resources provided by the department and division.

• Other duties as assigned

Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED; Bachelor’s degree preferred

• Strong oral and written communication skills are required in addition to analytical skills.

• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Enrolled in a graduate program in higher education administration, educational leadership, student affairs, or related field.

The department is committed to a robust experience designed to best prepare you to apply your coursework and thrive in the field of student affairs. New opportunities and increasing levels of responsibility may be explored throughout the position in order to support the growth of the individual graduate assistant.

The Graduate Assistant position is an approximately 20-hour per week hourly position which will sometimes include evening and weekend hours. You will be provided with a laptop, workspace, and all necessary work materials for the duration of your assistantship. Anticipated employment period for the first semester is August 25, 2026 through December 12, 2026. For the second semester the anticipated employment period is January 4, 2027 through May 14, 2027. This position may be renewed for a second-year appointment concluding a successful first year.

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed